Laser Light Activated Target

ABSTRACT

A laser activated target comprising at least a first and second target body suspended from a support shaft in a staggered configuration ninety degrees apart, a light sensitive diode affixed in each said target body, a base housing a motor and gearset, a drive extension from the gearset mounted vertically atop said motor and gearset, a circuit board in communication with each diode and speaker mounted laterally to said motor and gearset, said support shaft engaged to drive extension from gearset and extending vertically through said base. The circuit board activated by detection of a laser light strike by said diodes causing the motor and gearset to pivot support shaft ninety degrees exposing the alternate target body and activating the speaker to emit a sound. Alternatively, the laser activated target device is in combination with an oscillating device providing pendulum movement of support shaft and target bodies.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/106,354, filed on Jan. 22, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a laser activated target device simulating a real falling plate shooting range for the competitive firearm shooter or any firearm enthusiast to improve proficiency in accuracy and speed of firearm handling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The falling plate shoot is a popular game in competitive pistol or firearm shooting which tests the shooters proficiency in accuracy and speed in firearm handling for the enthusiastic shooter or competitive shooter. In real shooting, when the plate target is hit by a live bullet or other form of ammunition it falls and the sound of the bullet hitting the plate makes a distinctive “ping” sound. The present invention provides an interactive device with both visual and audio feedback simulating the falling plate real shooting competition utilizing a laser actuated target device in place of live ammunition and plate targets.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The laser actuated target device of the present invention simulates the falling plate real shooting competition by providing a moving target in reaction to being hit by a laser light duplicating the action of a falling plate and emitting a distinctive ping sound similar to the actual sound of a bullet hitting the plate target. The laser actuated target device allows the shooter to practice with his/hers own gun with an laser light emitting device installed in the gun muzzle and provides both visual and audio feedback giving the shooter the same real experience as a real falling plate firing range without actually discharging one's gun with live ammunition.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides the pistol shooter or firearm shooter the ability to practice in one's home, with their own gun and any laser light emitting device installed on the gun muzzle for continuous and rapid firing at the falling plate simulated targets.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the shooter can practice from any shooting distance in the comfort of one's home while enjoying the feedback of the successful hit with both visual and audio responses eliminating any boredom associated with target practice fake shooting.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the laser actuated target device is equally suited to the new shooter who requires basic information about hitting a competition sized target and the experience shooter who requires daily practice to maintain efficiency in firearm handling necessary for successful competitive shooting or law enforcement purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the laser actuated target device.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the laser actuated target device showing the target bodies, light sensor diodes, support shaft, motor and gearset, control circuit board, speaker, and drive extension.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the laser actuated target in combination with an oscillating means causing a pendulum motion of the support shaft and target bodies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the preferred embodiment, the laser actuated target device (10) comprises of at least a first and second target bodies (20) suspended on a support shaft (30). The first and second target bodies are suspended on shaft (30) in a staggered configuration ninety degrees apart. In the preferred embodiment, the target bodies (20) consist of a front translucent plastic material in a dome shaped configuration and a back plate consisting of a reflective material such as plastic, which is affixed to support shaft (30). A light sensitive diode (25) is attached to the center of the back plate of each target body (20). A base (95) houses a motor (70) and gearset (80). A control circuit board (60) and speaker device (90) are mounted laterally on opposite sides of the motor (70) and gearset (80). The control circuit board (60), motor (70) and speaker device (90) are all powered by an external power supply (50). A drive extension (40) is mounted vertically atop gearset (80) and is engaged to support shaft (30) which extends vertically through base (95). The control circuit board (60) is in communication with each light sensitive diode (25) by a wire means (100) housed within support shaft (30). The motor (70) and speaker (90) are in communication with control circuit board (60) by wire means (100). A light sensitivity adjustment device (65) is attached to control circuit board (60) for limiting uncontrolled cycling of control circuit board (60). When a laser light emitted from a firearm or other laser light source strikes the first or second target body (20) and is detected by light sensitive diode (25), a relay signal from light sensitive diode (25) travels through wire means (100) to activate control circuit board (60). In response to a laser hit detected by light sensitive diode (25), motor (70) and gearset (80) are activated by control circuit board (60) through wire means (100) causing support shaft (30) to pivot ninety degrees exposing the second target body (20) if the first target body (20) has been hit and vice versa. Simultaneously, upon detection of a laser light strike speaker (90) is activated to emit a distinctive sound. In a preferred embodiment, drive shaft extension (40) contains a pair of limiting pins ninety degrees apart at the point of engagement with gearset (80) and in communication with control circuit board (60) causing target support shaft (30) to pivot in a clockwise and counter clockwise direction, alternatively, in a ninety degree arc which each successive laser light strike. In a preferred embodiment, control circuit board (60) contains an audio chip causing speaker (90) to emit an audible sound resembling a falling plate with each laser light strike. In another preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, laser actuated target (10) in combination with an oscillating device (105) causes target support shaft (30) and target bodies (20) to move in a pendulum-like motion. 

1. An laser light activated target device comprising: a first and second target body suspended on a support shaft ninety degrees apart in a staggered configuration; a diode sensor affixed in each said target body, said sensor detects a strike of the target body by a laser light emitted from a laser light source, and; a base housing a motor and gearset, a drive extension mounted vertically atop said motor and gearset, a control circuit board and speaker device mounted laterally on opposing sides to said motor and gearset, said support shaft engaged to said drive extension and extending vertically through said base, said control circuit board in communication with each said diode sensor and said motor and gearset and speaker device by a wiring means, wherein detection of said laser light by said diode sensor activates said control board causing said motor and gearset to pivot said support shaft exposing the first or second target body and causing the speaker device to emit a sound, said control circuit board, motor and speaker being powered by an external power source means.
 2. The laser light activated target device of claim 1 wherein the target body consists of a front convex concentrating lens in a dome shaped configuration and a back plate consisting of a reflective material.
 3. The laser light activated device of claim 2 wherein the target body consist of a plastic material.
 4. The laser light activated device of claim 1 wherein the drive extension and gearset consist of a plurality of limiting pins situated ninety degrees apart providing rotation of said support shaft in a


5. The laser light activated device of claim 1 wherein the control circuit board contains a audio chip to emit a sound from said speaker device.
 6. The laser light activated device of claim 5 wherein the audio chip emits a sound resembling a bullet hitting a metal plate.
 7. The laser light activated device of claim 1 wherein said external power source means is a five volt power supply.
 8. The laser light activated device of claim 1 wherein the control circuit board causes the motor and gearset to reverse direction with each successive activation from said laser light hit detected by said sensor diodes causing the support shaft to pivot back and forth in said ninety degree arc.
 9. An laser light activated target device comprising: a first and second target body suspended on a support shaft ninety degrees apart in a staggered configuration; a diode sensor affixed in each said target body, said sensor detects a strike of the target body by a laser light emitted from a laser light source; a base housing a motor and gearset, a drive extension mounted vertically atop said motor and gearset, a control circuit board and speaker device mounted laterally on opposing sides to said motor and gearset, said support shaft engaged to said drive extension and extending vertically through said base, said control circuit board in communication with each said diode sensor and said motor and gearset and speaker device by a wiring means, wherein detection of said laser light by said diode sensor activates said control board causing said motor and gearset to pivot said support shaft exposing the first or second target body and causing the speaker device to emit a sound, said control circuit board, motor and speaker being powered by an external power source means, and; a oscillating means engaged with said base and support shaft providing a a pendulum motion of said support shaft and said first and second target body. 